Spot on example of a what an excellent director can do, thanks to veteran Lawrence Dobkin, who also directed CANNON. He hits the bullseye.
10 Stars.
A gem, written by George F. Slavin, who wrote for MANNIX prior to this episode, and a bunch of other cop shows and sitcoms. I remember this episode when it premiered, and never forgot it. Outstanding.
Incidentally, prior to this story, guest star Roddy McDowall (who plays Stan) had a very similar part on COLUMBO in an episode called "Short Fuse." He played a devious, deadly character, except he was NOT blind. In this case, Stan is a nightclub pianist, into blackmail with lots of well known people on his list. He also pretends he's blind, add sunglasses and a walking stick. What a neat alibi.
It turns out, one of his victims, a prominent Hollywood doctor, is about to expose him and is murdered. Who would suspect a blind man, right?
Enter Barnaby, who really has his work cut out for him, because Stan is about as clever as he is. By the way... don't know if this was a gag, but Barnaby is wearing a raincoat(?) --just like Columbo? Yes, there's some light rain, however it makes you chuckle.
Great supporting cast with the likes of Marlyn Mason (as Ginny), a wonderful actress, also veteran Patricia Donahue as Ruth, in a smaller but very good supporting role. Catch popular 70s actor Reni Santoni (as Chip), who would appear again on the show. Best remembered for DIRTY HARRY.
What makes this all so fascinating, you begin to wonder how it all will end, because this is as close to a perfect crime as it gets. Wait and see.
Interestingly, if you are a film buff, Roddy McDowall was the subject of a historical investigation a few years earlier. His home was raided by the FBI due to the fact that he collected hundreds of original rare film prints from movie studios. The complaint was, although he legally came into possession of the movies (some studios actually trashed the orginal releases after they had been remastered), he was not allowed to sell or trade them due to existing copyright infrigements. The case opened up broad legal discussions and why today there are strict vhs, dvd and blu ray copyrights on motion pictures. Super trivia question.
SEASON ONE, EPISODE 9 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. Re-released in 2016 possibly because METV began featuring the series in their lineup.
10 Stars.
A gem, written by George F. Slavin, who wrote for MANNIX prior to this episode, and a bunch of other cop shows and sitcoms. I remember this episode when it premiered, and never forgot it. Outstanding.
Incidentally, prior to this story, guest star Roddy McDowall (who plays Stan) had a very similar part on COLUMBO in an episode called "Short Fuse." He played a devious, deadly character, except he was NOT blind. In this case, Stan is a nightclub pianist, into blackmail with lots of well known people on his list. He also pretends he's blind, add sunglasses and a walking stick. What a neat alibi.
It turns out, one of his victims, a prominent Hollywood doctor, is about to expose him and is murdered. Who would suspect a blind man, right?
Enter Barnaby, who really has his work cut out for him, because Stan is about as clever as he is. By the way... don't know if this was a gag, but Barnaby is wearing a raincoat(?) --just like Columbo? Yes, there's some light rain, however it makes you chuckle.
Great supporting cast with the likes of Marlyn Mason (as Ginny), a wonderful actress, also veteran Patricia Donahue as Ruth, in a smaller but very good supporting role. Catch popular 70s actor Reni Santoni (as Chip), who would appear again on the show. Best remembered for DIRTY HARRY.
What makes this all so fascinating, you begin to wonder how it all will end, because this is as close to a perfect crime as it gets. Wait and see.
Interestingly, if you are a film buff, Roddy McDowall was the subject of a historical investigation a few years earlier. His home was raided by the FBI due to the fact that he collected hundreds of original rare film prints from movie studios. The complaint was, although he legally came into possession of the movies (some studios actually trashed the orginal releases after they had been remastered), he was not allowed to sell or trade them due to existing copyright infrigements. The case opened up broad legal discussions and why today there are strict vhs, dvd and blu ray copyrights on motion pictures. Super trivia question.
SEASON ONE, EPISODE 9 remastered color CBS/Paramount dvd box set. Re-released in 2016 possibly because METV began featuring the series in their lineup.